Thematic Analysis in HCI: a “crash course”

Abstract

Thematic analysis is a flexible, accessible and versatile qualitative method, but how can we use it effectively in HCI so that we reach rich and insightful analysis, avoiding the pitfalls of surface level descriptions and ‘bucket themes’? In this one day workshop we will walk participants through the entire process of a thematic analysis, working with a real world dataset, working through familiarisation and code generation through to developing and defining themes. Along the way, we will examine the potential of AI tools and language models in how they may be able to help (or hinder) the process. Participants will come away having attempted each step of a thematic analysis, having a firm sense of what this process looks like in practice.